This week's letters

Credit for CL 'milestones'
I write in response to the very informative article 'A new silicone hydrogel lens' by David Ruston and John Meyler, directors of professional affairs for Johnson & Johnson (optician October 7, 2005).

The second paragraph mentions 'two key milestones in soft lens history' and credits Johnson & Johnson with their world-first introductions.  I feel that, in the interest of historical accuracy and to give credit where it is due, I should point out that J&J did not introduce 'the first disposable contact lens' nor the 'world's first daily-disposables in 1994'.

The first disposable lens complete with a new 'blister' packaging concept was introduced by Danalens, Denmark, a business subsequently purchased by J&J. In 1992, the concept of daily-disposability, the health-care benefits from this modality and the first actual daily-disposable contact lenses were all 'world-first introductions' not by J&J but by Award Limited, a UK business founded by me and my business partner, William Seden (ref optician 1992 and BBC World Services 1992).
Ron Hamilton
Chairman, Provis